The greater mouse-eared bat is one of
the larger bats Its fur is a medium-brown colour on
the upper body, and greyish-white underneath. It has large ears with a very
prominent tragus, the organ which is part of the bat’s echolocation system.

Greater
mouse-eared bats are usually found around human settlements. They probably used
caves as roosting sites, and today they hibernate in both caves and mines. They
hunt in forests and adjoining cultivated areas

This bat preys on
larger insects, mainly beetles, which they hunt for about four to five hours
after emerging late in the evening. They are known to forage on the ground for
some of their insect prey. Male greater mouse-eared bats are polygamous, and may
have a harem of up to five females. The females form large maternity roosts and give birth to one offspring, usually in June. When they
leave to feed, females leave their babies in a crèche and there are often
several females left to guard the roost. The young bats can fly after three
weeks, and become sexually mature at three months.

Range Description:

This widespread species has been recorded from South Asia,
Southern and Eastern China, and both mainland and insular Southeast Asia. In
South Asia this species is presently known only from India (Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram and Tamil Nadu) (Vanitharani 2006, Molur
et al. 2002). In China, it ranges through much of Southern and Eastern, parts of
the country (Smith and Xie 2008). In mainland Southeast Asia, it has been
recorded from Myanmar, Southern Thailand(although there are no published
records (Bumrungsri et al., 2006)), Northern Vietnam, Lao PDR and Peninsular
Malaysia (it has been recorded at the Batu caves close to Kuala Lumpur). It is
also present on the island of Borneo, where it has been reported from Sabah
(Kinabatangan area) (Malaysia) and Kalimantan (Indonesia). It has been recorded
from sea level to an elevation of 1,100 m asl.: Within India, it has been
recorded roosting in caves, rocky crevices and subterranean habitats in forested
areas (Molur et al. 2002). In Lao PDR, the species has been collected in hill
forests at 1,000 m asl and in open forest at 500 m asl (Francis et al. 1996; in
Duckworth et al. 1999). In Vietnam, the species has been recorded in heavily
disturbed agricultural landscapes, at about 200 m asl. Animals have been found
roosting in small colonies in a crevice of a bridge (Yasuma and Andau, 2000). In
southern Thailand the species roosts in small colonies in lowland
evergreen forest (S. Bumringsri pers. comm. ). In Myanmar it is known from
around 1,850 m asl (Bates et al. 2005). In Malaysia it has been recorded in
highly disturbed secondary habitat
Countries: Native:
China; India; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Vietnam

Population:

It is believed to be an uncommon species. In South Asia, the
population abundance of this species is not known. There are only a relatively
few individuals in each colony and the colonies and localities are scattered
(Molur et al. 2002).
Population Trend: Unknown

Habitat and Ecology:

Within India, it has been recorded roosting in caves,
rocky crevices and subterranean habitats in forested areas (Molur et al. 2002).
In Lao PDR, the species has been collected in hill forests at 1,000 m asl and in
open forest at 500 m asl (Francis et al. 1996; in Duckworth et al. 1999). In
Viet Nam, the species has been recorded in heavily disturbed agricultural
landscapes, at about 200 m asl. Animals have been found roosting in small
colonies in a crevice of a bridge (Yasuma and Andau, 2000).
In Southern
Thailand the species roosts in small colonies in lowland evergreen forest
(S. Bumringsri pers. comm.). In Myanmar it is known from around 1,850 m asl
(Bates et al. 2005). In Malaysia it has been recorded in highly disturbed
secondary habitat.
Systems: Terrestrial

Major Threat(s):

In South Asia, this species is threatened due to
disturbance to roosting sites by increase in tourism and habitat loss due to
tourism related developmental activities (Molur et al. 2002). The threats to the
species over the rest of its range are not known, although it has been reported
from degraded forest in parts of its range.

Conservation Actions:

In South Asia, although there are no direct conservation
measures in place, the species has been recorded from Agasthiyamalai Biosphere
Reserve in Tamil Nadu (Vanitharani 2006). Surveys, ecological and population
studies are recommended (Molur et al. 2002). In Southeast Asia, it has been
recorded from some protected areas (eg. Vu Quang National Park, Vietnam
[Borissenko and Kruskop 2003]).